Well, certainly the Epistle of Hebrews does not forthrightly say “Written by Paul the Apostle.”
But to me there are enough little “signs” and “hints” along the way to strongly suggest Paul’s pen has again been active!
And one of them I’d like to present for your consideration today. It’s a “new” indicator to me …
HEBREWS CHAPTER 13
Clearly the main “argument” (or “theme”) of the Book ends at chapter 12. It’s last two verses …
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29, stay faithful!
Such bold exhortations pepper the Book, for example …
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:1-3 … Be careful! Don’t let these things of Grace and God and Salvation “slip” or “drift” right by you!
Or … “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Hebrews 3:12-14
Yes, looks like Hebrews 12:29-30 culminates those “encouragements” to be faithful, or “warnings” to be faithful.
Then in Hebrews chapter 13 Paul (I believe) does what he always does in his Epistles as they come to a close. He gives practical advice for living godly!
Like …
“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:1-5
Paul, typically all over the place, with good, sound exhortation!
Well, I suspect I have changed nobody’s mind this morning. But I have at lest bolstered my own faith in the Word of God!
The Greatest Book Ever Written!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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